On Sunday 26 January a GAA inter-county game taking place at Crossmaglen Rangers grounds was disrupted by British Army helicopter activity. The following morning the Government's serious concern about this incident was conveyed to the British Government through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
The British authorities have acknowledged that there was helicopter activity in and around Crossmaglen that day and apologised for this activity occurring during the match. They have given an undertaking that the British Army will in future avoid flying in the area for the duration of GAA games, where this is operationally possible.
The Government's consistent position has been that, in situations where military activity is deemed to be absolutely necessary by the British authorities, it should be carried out in a manner which takes full account of the sensitivities of the local community. It is important that excessive military activity, or military activity which causes significant disruption to the local community, should be avoided where possible.
